Journal of Ecophysiology and Occupational Health

73-79

Authors: Shubha Govil and Vitthal T. Mohite

Mumbai coast is facing adverse impact of sewage discharge up to 5km from the shore. Microbiological quality of Mumbai coastal water was estimated by determination of faecal coliforms [FC], which is the standard used for assessment of level of fecal pollution of marine water. Determination of levels of faecal pollution of the coastal ecosystem can also be carried out by assessment of microbial metabolic activities in terms of alkaline phosphatase [APase] activity. High organic matter - allochthonous or autochthonous, or contaminants i.e. hydrocarbons support viability of bacterial and stimulates synthesis of enzymes to degrade new organic compounds. However AP activity is not only affected by various variables like pH, buffer ions, metal ion content, incubation time etc., but is also negatively correlated with availability of phosphates. Correlation between FC count and AP activity was studied to check use of AP activity as marker of ecological quality.

89-93

Authors: Satyendra Singh and A. K. Srivastava

The effect of sub lethal concentration 1.31 ppm and 1.84 ppm for Arsenic and Copper on the Hepatosomatic and Gonadosomatic indices of the fish Heteropneustes fossilis was studied. In mature female catfish Heteropneustes fossilis on exposure to both test metals at both higher sub lethal concentration registered marked toxicological alterations and reduction in Hepatosomatic index (HSI) and Gonadosomatic index (GSI) throughout the year in exposed fish group. However in the control group fish the values of HSI and GSI in the increasing order in relation to seasonal variation to their maximum range during pre-spawning phase. The reduced values of above parameter found directly proportional to the metal concentration and duration of the exposure. The results of the present study will be useful for selective breeding programme, conservation and sustainable fishery management of H. fossilis in its natural habitat.

105-114

Authors: Satyendra Singh and A. K. Srivastava

Study was undertaken to evaluate biochemical and hematological alterations resulting from the exposure of Heteropneustes fossilis to both sub-lethal concentration of copper (1.84 ppm and 1.10ppm) and arsenic (1.10 ppm and 0.78ppm) on various tissues for 15 days, 30 days and 60 days. Three groups of 14 fish were taken as control group, arsenic exposed group and copper exposed group. At the end of experiment periodically blood sample were taken from the control and experimental group of fish. Blood was assayed for selected biochemical and hematological parameters (hematocrit, haemoglobin per cent red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts, MCV, MCH, MCHC, clotting time, plasma protein, plasma glucose, blood plasma GOT, GPT, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, triglycerides). The hematological indices of both sub-lethal concentration of both test metal indicated a dose-dependent decrease in hemoglobin values, hematocrit values, red blood counts, MCH, MCHC, which are indication of anemia of the normal chronic type. Clotting time significantly increased in copper exposed fish. A dose-duration dependent increase was observed in MCV and WBC count. Biochemical analysis demonstrated the blood plasma level of protein and glucose was lowered in the exposed fish as compared to the control group, but a significant dose dependent elevation was recorded in all other bio chemical parameters. During exposure time a relative decrease in blood glucose level and an increase in blood serum cholesterol level and SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase, triglycerides level was increased. The result of present study demonstrates the toxic effect of both test metal in test fish Heteropneustes fossilis and recorded hematological and biochemical parameters can be used as an indicator of copper and arsenic related toxicological stress in fish on been exposed to sub-lethal concentration of both metal.

121-127

Authors: Rasna Gupta, Ram Lakhan Singh and Neeraja Dwivedi

The antioxidant activity of methanolic (MTBL) and aqueous (ATBL) extracts of Terminalia bellerica leaves (TBL) was evaluated by various in vitro techniques. IC50 values of MTBL and ATBL were found to be 93 and 301 μg mL-1 for FRSA, 42 and 252 μg mL-1 for SARSA, 91 and 376 μg mL-1 for LPO, 53 and 540 μg mL-1 for HRSA, 142 and 544 μg mL-1 for FTC, respectively. RP was detected to be 2.72 and 10.49 ASE mL-1 for MTBL and ATBL. The MTBL showed better antioxidant activity than ATBL when compared with standard quercetin. TPC for MTBL and ATBL were 209.28 and 173.9 g kg−1 of GAE, respectively. In conclusion, methanolic extract of TB leaf has higher antioxidant activity than the aqueous extract and it could be a good source of natural antioxidant.

133-140

Authors: Suyash Tripathi and Krishna Gopal

Critics showed objections on the genetic engineering process on the some points whish were both ethical and ecological. This happened because it was sure that these genetic engineering processes must have been causing the gene flow and raise alarm against intellectual property rights. Problems also evolved on using GMOs in the form of food because fishes are being used as a nutritive food worldwide. So it raised a question in the mind of critics that it can cause many forms of lethal allergies to the consumers as the GM fishes were labelled. These issues caused a check over the trade of these GM fishes internationally. Thus due to all these prominent issues FDA has a power to restrict these GM fishes as 1) food 2) conditions in which they are used 3) a check after the approval. Public is confident if the above written three points have positive outcome. So these three points are the backbone for the approval of GM as food for public. So the potential research benefits of genetically modified fish will be fruitful only if these transgenic fish are kept separate from genetic pool of the wild species. There is possibility of transmission of the transgenes to the wild fishes which can make these transgenes a permanent resident of an environmental ecosystem.